It ain’t heavy, it’s my e-reader: a review of the Nook Color

The power of a first impression

The current obsession with product packaging in the blogosphere can sometimes (okay, many times) border on the pathetic. But there is a reasonable assumption behind all the geek package porn: any company that cares enough to craft beautiful, functional packaging has probably given some real attention to the product itself. Refined packaging hints at a refined user experience.

Barnes & Noble has learned this lesson well. Its new NOOKcolor e-reader—which I will henceforth refer to as the "Nook" out of protest at this absurd abuse of the alphabet—comes beautifully packaged in an elongated white cardboard box. When I pulled mine out of its shipping carton, I was immediately impressed and then doubly surprised when the box's bottom popped open on a paper hinge to reveal the Nook inside without requiring me to unlatch, unhook, or cut anything.

The Nook's box appears to contain four magnets: two to hold the hinged lower section closed and another two to hold the hinged section open (when swung back, it attaches to the back of the box with a satisfying thump). I've opened a lot of gadget boxes in my day, and I have to confess a goofy enjoyment at opening such an gloriously over-engineered box; I must have swiveled that hinge open and closed a dozen times before even turning to the hardware within.

The NOOKcolor box

Would the Nook itself live up to its packaging? To find out, I've been living with the device for several weeks and even carted it home for Thanksgiving to allow assorted aunts, uncles, and siblings to bang away on it. The device's strengths and weaknesses can perhaps best be summed up by two brief exchanges with my Kindle-using brother.

ME (upon handing over the Nook): So what's the very first thing you notice?

HIM: It's heavy.

Two hours later, after ignoring the built-in apps and the e-book content to surf the Web on the Nook's 7-inch screen:

HIM: How much did you say this was?

ME: $249

HIM: Hmm. This could be useful.

Indeed, it's the best deal you're going to get right now for a good 7-inch Android tablet (bad ones of course can be had for less)—but that doesn't mean it's without a host of flaws. None of these are fatal, and few are really serious, but together they take some of the shine off a quite tempting apple.

Carry that weight

The Nook is heavy in the hand. That was my first impression, and it's one that was reinforced every time I used the device. Though the new Nook is about the same height and width as the Kindle 3, it weighs substantially more, and switching back to the Kindle was like switching from a "desktop replacement" notebook of yore to a MacBook Air. (The Nook is still not nearly as heavy as the iPad.)

The weight certainly isn't a deal-breaker—plenty of people read books on an iPad, for instance—but extended Web surfing might be more comfortable when the Nook rests on a table or in your hand. Holding the device upright in front of your face, especially with one hand, isn't fun for long sessions.

Size difference between a Kindle 3 and the Nook Color

As for appearance, this is notably subjective. The Nook's design is attractive, though it's executed in two tones of grey plastic with a black rubberized backing. Both the top and bottom have rounded edges that give the device something of a "puffy" impression, and the less said about the "iconic" open hook at the bottom-left, the better.

Guess which one is backlit and which is not?

Still, if you're coming from an e-Ink device like a Kindle or a Sony Reader, turning on the Nook will instantly remind you why it's much heavier and a bit bulkier: it has a beautiful color touchscreen. Swiping across the bottom of the screen to unlock the device, then navigating the setup menus and entering a WiFi password, and finally tapping a book to read (with no page-turn lag)—it's all so quick and easy that you'll want to curse the five-way controller, DOS-style text interface, and overall sluggishness of something like the Kindle.

The hardware

Powering this experience is TI OMAP 3621 processor running at 800MHz, with 8GB of flash memory and 32GB more available via a microSDHC card. The 600x1024 pixel screen has a 169 pixel-per-inch density and a full 16 million color range, and WiFi b/g/n provides connectivity (there is no 3G radio).

As for external buttons or ports, they're few: a power button, a micro-USB connector, two volume buttons, and a headphone jack. There's also the "Nook button" on the device face. This looks more like an upside-down U than the lower-case N it is meant to resemble. I found it ugly. Your mileage may vary.

Two small things about the hardware, one good and one bad, that don't show up on the spec sheet: first, the device's tiny mono speaker is not located in the front or even in the bottom of the device, but is fully on the back. The predictable result is that it sounds absolutely atrocious; even system notifications sound like they're coming from another device several feet away instead of from the one in your hands. And if you're listening to music, the headphone jack is a must.

On the flip side, the Nook thankfully eschews proprietary computer interfaces and presents itself over USB as a USB Mass Storage device. Navigating the directory structure is simple and the folders have obvious names. We found it easy to get content, such as pictures and screenshots, on and off the device.

What I don't get about the Nook Color is that the point of ereaders seems like it's supposed to be that I can use it for long periods of time without my eyes bleeding. But the Nook Color has the same type of screen that e-ink was invented to get away from. So as it stands it seems like the Nook Color is a low-cost limited-functionality Android table.

The only reason I can personally see to get one is something like joshv said, if you're willing to deal with rooting the device it'd be a way of getting a cheap Android tablet.

The hybrid solution of ePaper + regular display looks very appealing to me compared to having just either one and no limitations on your installations like on the Nook. Full Android Market available to you.

What I don't get about the Nook Color is that the point of ereaders seems like it's supposed to be that I can use it for long periods of time without my eyes bleeding. But the Nook Color has the same type of screen that e-ink was invented to get away from. So as it stands it seems like the Nook Color is a low-cost limited-functionality Android table.

The only reason I can personally see to get one is something like joshv said, if you're willing to deal with rooting the device it'd be a way of getting a cheap Android tablet.

Clearly, such a device is not for any individual with such concerns or sensitivities.

While I do admire the appearance of the e-ink, I (and millions of others) am just fine with reading from such screens; and do regularly.

I would have to say, that if I did not already have a tablet (or actually got mine for free) this would be a great affordable option.

Excellent review, pointing out advantages and shortcomings in a well written narrative.

I don't actually own a kindle, but I read alot of kindle content on my iphone and an Issue i keep running into is trying to follow footnotes that are at the edges of the screen. If I try to tap the little icon to jump to the footnote, the kindle app interprets it as a page turn more often then not, so i wind up having to try it over and over again.

How does the nook handle links or footnotes at the edge of the pages in e-books? also, how is note taking and highlight on the nook?

The hybrid solution of ePaper + regular display looks very appealing to me compared to having just either one and no limitations on your installations like on the Nook. Full Android Market available to you.

+1i've been following the NI team with anticipation for a year now. the Adam made me *want* a tablet. As an admin, i have laptops and netbooks strewn all over my house. I put away my winlinux-bias and tried the iPad and it was way too heavy for what I wanted it for.

Take a look at the Archos 70. It's only $25 more than the Nook and doesn't require rooting for a complete android experience. I'll be at best buy (today) checking out the weight of the Archos 7 Home tablet. It's under $200 and would make a perfect Xmas present for my 5 year old (Ender's Game FTW!)

Also, I finally checked out the Galaxy Tab at the sprint store. Geez, that device is great. I played with it for an hour. By the time I left, customers were passing it around. I wish it wasn't so damn expensive, though. With a Dropbox, 3g/4G, remote desktop or VNC, e-directory and AD apps, i could actually do 80% of my job with the 8G version. I may actually suggest this to my IT Director b/c he keeps wasting money on overpriced netbooks and wireless broadband. As it is, which ever device I buy will be used daily.

What I don't get about the Nook Color is that the point of ereaders seems like it's supposed to be that I can use it for long periods of time without my eyes bleeding. But the Nook Color has the same type of screen that e-ink was invented to get away from. So as it stands it seems like the Nook Color is a low-cost limited-functionality Android table.

The only reason I can personally see to get one is something like joshv said, if you're willing to deal with rooting the device it'd be a way of getting a cheap Android tablet.

The market of people who read for "long periods of time" has been saturated by the Kindle. Everybody who wants one has one. This is for the occasional reader who will split his time between reading and web browsing. I think that's a larger market. Time will tell.

Surely the Nook is more analogous to the Apple iPad than the Kindle, considering the technology, interface and functionality involved?

I'm wondering the same thing. It sounds like the Nook wants to be more than a Kindle but less than an iPad or true Android tablet - jack of all trades, master of none. I'm left thinking that I'd be better off considering a Kindle or robust tablet instead of this.

Okay, I'm sorry. You're not going to get either an iPad or a Kindle? So you want to buy something completely pointless and unrelated to current commercial offerings of online book sellers. Good for you!

Coming in as a person that uses a Nook, the weight was always a issue. That and design of the device ( why the heck do you have to take off the back to install a miniSD card) irks me to no end. This is nice but the battery life is one issue that I know is going to be an issue. The other thing that I have noticed with the the current nook is that the B&N website is crap for viewing and it was half baked when they was supporting it. Currently I just use it for Public domain works as B&N books for digital works cost way more, in many cases. There will be a Version 3 out later.

Usually online writers have been using 'nook' to refer to the e-ink version, and 'nook color' or 'color nook' for the model you're describing. The 'default' is the e-ink, Also, I'm surprised you didn't talk about file formats at all, since it is a big deal for e-readers. You already own a kindle... did you strip the DRM off your kindle ebooks and convert them to work on the nook? Have you tried borrowing library books on the nook yet?

I just bought the regular black-and-white e-ink nook last week, but I played a little bit with the color ones. They seemed like really nice systems. I don't have the 'eyestrain from backlit screen' thing, but I was swayed by the battery life and purchase price arguments to get the e-ink version. Also, realizing this is a bit unusual, I specifically wanted an e-reader that could surf the web only poorly. I'm a little worried I chose the wrong path from a long term support perspective -- e-ink may be dead. We'll see.

I talked a little to the manager on duty. The color nooks are selling like mad, better than expected (from an individual store perspective, anyway). Her explanation is that the color nooks demo really well compared to the e-ink models (colorful, interactive, battery life irrelevent) and that offering color children's books is driving a lot of buyer enthusiasm.

Honestly, if the LCD makes your eyes strain, you have issues. Why? Because you can alter the backlight. I turned mine so far down that it is extremely similar to the look of eInk, but it's still got a nice backlight when necessary. (Actually, having it turned down that far doesn't make the web experience any worse, either.) At that point, your only enemy is the glass of the touchscreen itself.

Also, Nate: I'm not sure if you cared, but you could have made your own screenshots for the article by hitting the up for sound, and the n button. Other hidden controls include swiping the area with the n on it; functions as a back and forward button, essentially.

EDIT: Since it was asked, the Nook Color handles library books wonderfully. The Philadelphia Library rents out Adobe-DRMed ePubs, which, obviously, the Kindle can't handle. Likewise, a lot of other e-Readers are out because of the DRM. Side loading them is a breeze, requiring nothing more than the use of the microUSB to USB cable. I will say this: The device has some weird peculiarities when it comes to covers, and may not always show them.

Also fun on the Nook Color: comics! I've got Scott Pilgrim and some others on mine right now. (You obviously have to convert them, as a native cbr/cbz reader doesn't exist yet. Supposedly Marvel's working on one.)

Not too bad. Browser seems a bit laggy compared to my N1 as does scrolling screens, but this is stock and mine isn't. I miss multitouch but that will be quickly corrected. LCD is daylight readable in the minivan. Its not too heavy at all.

Edit: Just got a system update to 1.0. I also miss my trackball and back button.Keyboard is surprisingly usable for not having autocorrect. Definitely miss having swiftkey though. Form factor is much more friendly than the 10" tablets.

Was this an objective article or a love note? Some of the subjective comparison to other devices was hard to get past what appeared to be invective rather than any objective or factual comparison being made.

Help me understand HOW and WHY something you are doing on the nook is better than the kindle. Dont just throw down a brief phrase about navigation on the nook and then say "id rather glue my fingers together than complete a game of minesweeper on the kindle".

Its also concerning that you are reviewing an ebook reader as if it were a general purpose tablet-- and expect the kindle to play well on that basis as well.

Its hard to take your immature, unfocused writing seriously when it lacks some of the fundamental elements of review: good, objective information.

As an ebook reader its a bit laggy on magazine pages. But like I said,the screen is daylight usable. Otherwise its just the nook software you'd find on any other android w/ a custom bookstore oriented launcher.

Was this an objective article or a love note? Some of the subjective comparison to other devices was hard to get past what appeared to be invective rather than any objective or factual comparison being made.

Help me understand HOW and WHY something you are doing on the nook is better than the kindle. Dont just throw down a brief phrase about navigation on the nook and then say "id rather glue my fingers together than complete a game of minesweeper on the kindle".

Did you READ the same review I did?

He mentioned multiple WHYs - Navigation, for just about everything - from getting to a book you want to read, to navigating within a book, to accessing "other" features on both machines - is much easier; page turns are much faster and smoother....

What I don't get about the Nook Color is that the point of ereaders seems like it's supposed to be that I can use it for long periods of time without my eyes bleeding. But the Nook Color has the same type of screen that e-ink was invented to get away from.

Same here. I've put in hour-long reading sessions on my Kindle, without even a sign of fatigue. Just like reading a normal book. Something that is next to impossible with a backlit screen.

I stare at screens for 10+ hours a day - no eye bleeding here. I use a kindle because of battery life, not because the screen is easier on the eyes.

Concentrated reading for extended periods of time is different than just looking at a screen. I do the latter for 10-12 hours in the average day, I can play games for hours on end too, but if I try to read something akin to a book, I need to rest my eyes regularly - or I tend to skip long passages just to catch the gist of the text, which for a book defeats the purpose. If you don't have that problem, more power to you. A lot of people however do.

My wife got one and is enjoying it so far. We passed over the e-ink readers b/c the children's book content offering was very compelling. My wife said so far it's killer app is the magazines.

From my perspective I've never been that impressed with the iPad, laptops aren't that much bigger and outclass the ipad for everything I care about - once the device is shrunk to nookcolor size, the pad form factor feels like it really offers something.

I kind of want one just to have a cheap Android tablet (I'd be jailbreaking right way too).. but I don't get this thing at all as a reader. It's way too heavy for it's size.. I don't think LCD can really be the reason for that. It's much closer to the Kindle DX and iPad in weight, and those have 4x the screen area. if it's a tablet it sucks compared to the iPad and probably to the Galaxy Tab as well, and it's only a matter of time before there are better unlocked Android tablets in it's price range.

It's telling who thing is targetted to when the review is 3 pages and only one paragraph or so is devoted to reading ebooks. If this thing sells largely to folks who want to browse the web, play games, and jailbreak, and it's not being sold at a profit, it's not going to help B&N in the long run.

I probably spend 1% of my time with my kindle doing anything except reading straight through books. You spend a bit more time navigating when reading periodicals, but even there they've done a pretty decent job. If you organize your library well and use the page turn keys you're not sitting there pressing the up and down arrows for extended periods to time very often. The back button can also be used cleverly to largely negate the authors complaints as well. (Just like android ironically) You also can't blame the kindle for a book not having a good TOC, etc.. because that book is likely to have poor navigation on other devices as well. It's too bad authors publishers seem to be so lazy about putting navigation features in. When they are present in the book they can be a godsend for the right kinds of material.

I can agree with previous commenters, the article should be more specific if it is going to complain about interfaces, especially when so many Ars readers seem to have not gotten any real use of these devices and seem to operate on false assumptions. Detail a task and describe the number of button pushes or screen presses on one device versus the other. This is how professionals critique interfaces when developing them, nothing wrong with an article here doing the same.

The market of people who read for "long periods of time" has been saturated by the Kindle. Everybody who wants one has one. This is for the occasional reader who will split his time between reading and web browsing.

And wants magazines, books and the like in full color.

Quote:

Thanks to its larger screen, Nook handles PDF files a bit better than Kindle, but neither device provides a compelling experience. Both make it difficult to size a PDF page precisely to the screen (you will often want to have the text run from edge to edge with little to no margin around the outer edge of the page). And Nook forces you to scroll through PDFs vertically; no one-top page turns here. Three pages into a 30 page PDF of an academic paper, I ditched the Nook and printed the document instead.

Bummer. Thats one of the major reasons I wanted one...to get at the iPads PDF abilities in a less expensive package.

Take a look at the Archos 70. It's only $25 more than the Nook and doesn't require rooting for a complete android experience. I'll be at best buy (today) checking out the weight of the Archos 7 Home tablet. It's under $200 and would make a perfect Xmas present for my 5 year old (Ender's Game FTW!)

I thought the tablets that were in BB retail were all tied to cellular service contracts. By the time you add in this service cost I would suggest looking again.

The stock device is really nice. Great PDF reader, great ebook reader, great browser. Browser is a little laggy but overall the device is very impressive. I just sold my b&w Nook for $80 so the price of this wasn't too hard on my pocketbook. Yes its heavy, and yes it doesn't have autodim, which is a feature I've yet to see work properly on any device.

I got around to rooting it last night and installed the market. The lack of hardware menu and back buttons are a pretty serious problem for non-B&N apps. I installed the XDA softkey program but found that it overlays on top of the menu and is awkward in other ways to make it borderline useless or at least very annoying.

I can't imagine buying a tablet like the archos or the giant ipad, but I do like having a 7" ebook reader that can do tablet-like things now and then. Running Weatherbug, Angry Birds, and some music and drawing apps is nice. Hopefully the official store will have all these things. B&N has quite a little marvel on their hands. The ebook wars are theirs to lose now.